Medicinal Monday... Partridgeberry - an aid in childbirth and much more

Mitchella repens also known as the partridgeberry is a most attractive woodland creeping vine. The common name of this plant (partridgeberry) is a reference to the belief that it is a favorite food of foraging partridges.  It is native to North America and can be found in Connecticut. Native American communities use this plant in several interesting ways. 

Partridgeberry forms a verdant carpet on the woodland floor

About Partridgeberry

Partridgeberry is a delicate vine in the Rubiaceae (madder) family. It is only about two inches high forming a beautiful mat of trailing vines on the forest floor. It spreads when the nodes of these vines come in contact with the soil and take root.  This trailing evergreen plant with dark green rounded leaves has white fragrant tubular flowers that grow in pairs and are covered with dense white hairs giving them a fuzzy appearance. The flowers in Connecticut usually begin to bloom in early summer. The flowers are followed by a berry that is initially green but gradually ripens to a bright red by the fall. Look for two bright red eyes on the surface of the berry that is formed because of the pollination of the two flowers that fuse together to form it. If not eaten by wildlife or picked by foragers the berries remain red through the winter. Partridegberries are usually found in the rich woodland soils in eastern North America growing in shaded woods and along stream banks or on sandy slopes. 

Delicate pink and white tubular-shaped flowers

Medicinal Uses

In general, the most common use of this plant among the Native American communities was as an aid in childbirth. Many communities made tea from the leaves which were given to women with severe menstrual cramps, to help with labor pain and ease delivery, and as a wash to treat sore nipples during breastfeeding. There were many other uses for this delicate vine. The Abnaki made a poultice of the plant and applied it to swellings while the Cherokee took a tea for monthly menstrual cramps. They also made an infusion that was given to a baby to encourage breastfeeding and also took it for hives and sore nipples. The Cherokee also made an infusion of the root of partridgeberry and mixed it with milk and took it to treat bowel complaints and piles. As a veterinary aid, they gave an infusion to a pregnant cat and her kittens. 

Look for the berries in the fall

Delaware made a hot infusion of the roots and twigs and used it as a steam treatment for stiff joints and sore muscles. They made an infusion of the entire plant to treat suppressed menses and to strengthen female reproduction. The Iroquois used the berries to treat severe labor pains and would also make a compound decoction of the roots and bark for back and urinary pain. They also made a compound infusion for children with convulsions and vomiting and to treat fevers. A decoction of roots was sometimes given to newborn babies as a physic for stomachaches or rashes, and a poultice of vines was given to babies with swollen abdomens. Pregnant mothers would take a compound infusion of the plant to prevent rickets in the baby. 

The Cherokee and Iroquois and others also ate the fruit. They would mash them into cakes, which they dried and later reconstituted with water to make a sauce and mix it into stew or cornbread. 

The Berries will stay red through the winter months

Did You Know...

The genus name, Mitchella is for a Virginia Botanist, John Mitchell, who corresponded with Linnaeus.  Repens refers to the vines creeping habit.

The fruit is consumed by Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite Quail, turkeys, skunks, and white-footed mice.

Other names for this plant include Twinberry, Running Box, Deer Berry, Pigeon Plum, and Squaw Vine which is no longer used.

The berries are fleshy but not very tasty.

Today partridgeberry is a popular ground cover in gardens and landscaped areas.